Crying Child 'Not Suspicious'

Police say an incident, where a child walking with two men was seen crying on the Isle of Wight, is NOT suspicious...

Police on the Isle of Wight have identified and traced the boy after concerns for his safety were raised by a member of the public in St. Lawrence near Ventnor on the Island.

An investigation was initially sparked after a local man phoned police, claiming a young boy accompanied by two men had knocked on his front door on Monday, November 29, 2010.

Police were informed that the boy had been crying at the door and the men he was with explained to the householder that they had become lost while out on a walk.

Sergeant Martin Ward of the Isle of Wight Public Protection Unit (PPU) said:

“We issued an appeal through the media after initial enquiries in the local area had not identified the boy. I would like to thank members of the public who contacted police yesterday (Monday) as a result of our media appeal. The boy has been identified and located on the island, where there is no concern for his safety and welfare at this time.

“Police have also established there were no suspicious circumstances or criminal offences surrounding why he was in St. Lawrence with two men on Monday, November 29. Nevertheless, I have thanked the local resident for contacting us with his concerns. Police would always encourage people to act responsibly by reporting information to the authorities if they believe a child is at risk. Thankfully, that was not the case in this situation.”